There's something about classic albums that take you back to a certain time and place. I think that it was my older brother that initially introduced me to Massive Attack's Protection. We were on the beach in North Carolina for a week and the album was pretty much on repeat. Being the hip hop kid that I was though, it took me a few years to really get it. Tracey Thorn's vocals on the title track initially threw me off, the closest thing to rapping on the album being Tricky's "Karmacoma." However, the tracks featuring Horace Andy are what really drew me in. The way that Andrew "Mushroom" Vowles, Grant "Daddy G" Marshall and Robert "3D" Del Naja were able to work with the legendary reggae vocalist on "Spying Glass," incorporating classic dub techniques, was nothing short of impressive. Massive Attack were able to use the studio to great effect and the instrumental tracks, especially the piano driven "Weather Storm," stand on equal footing with the rest of the album. In fact there does not seem to be a bit of filler on the record. Depending on who you ask though the live cover of The Doors' "Light My Fire," again featuring Horace Andy, is the one love it or leave it moment on the record. Protection is a classic album that helped to define the then burgeoning trip hop and downtempo sound.

• black vinyl pressing
• printed inner sleeve
• original release year: 1994
• Music Label: Virgin 2016

reviewed by The Voice 09/2012